Device having flattenable cavities and protrusions

ABSTRACT

In accordance with the present invention, a device and method of buffering a surface while still maintaining the surface&#39;s visual appearance is disclosed. This invention relates to protecting a surface from deformation from objects placed on the surface while at the same time maintaining the surface&#39;s visual clarity and appearance. This invention may include the use of a sheet of silicone, some of the disclosed embodiments of which are uniquely configured with concave cavities and convex protrusions, and a wetting agent to achieve the stated buffering and visual appearance of the surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation In Part of application Ser. No.12/965,686, filed Dec. 10, 2010 and claims the benefit of ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/852,416, filed Mar. 15, 2013, by the presentinventor.

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to protecting a hard surface from deformationfrom hard objects placed on the surface while at the same timemaintaining the clarity to the surface and more specifically to a deviceand method for achieving these stated qualities.

BACKGROUND

Deriving the full utility of a countertop, while at the same timeenjoying the countertop appearance, is not always easy. Many countertoptypes that are popular today, for example the natural stone (granite ormarble) countertop, the chic utilitarian concrete countertop, the tilecountertop and the recycled glass countertop have a Brinell HardnessNumber in excess of 500 and may therefore be classified as super hardsurfaces. Also, in this category are engineered stone materials, such asthose available under the trademarks Zodiaq® by Dupont®, Viatera® by LGand Eco® by Cosentino®.

Another category of materials commonly used for countertops is definedas having hard surfaces. Examples of materials in this category arelaminates such as Formica® and Wilson Art®, and solid surfaces such asCorian®, HI-MACS®, glass, etc.

The above stated surfaces are subject to being easily deformed, such asscratched, abraded, scuffed, scorched, etc., when hard utensils areimproperly placed on the surface or through normal wear. Additionally,the super hard surfaces do not appreciably yield to an applied force,for example when a kitchen user places a ceramic dish or glass drinkingvessel on the countertop. Not only is there an unpleasant “clack” sound,but the user may perceive an unpleasant physical shock or jolt to thearm, due to the un-buffered contact of dish and countertop. This jolt,and the awareness of potential damage to dish or glass drinking vessel,may slow down the user in placing dishes on the countertop, when forexample, unloading a dishwasher.

Also, those wishing to use the countertop as a surface on which to placea pot, pan, dishware or bakeware that is in the process of being cleanedby scrubbing, may find that there is an unpleasant grating noise causedby friction between the bakeware and the super hard countertop surface.

Accordingly, those wishing to get full and convenient use of acountertop, while still enjoying the countertop's elegant appearance, donot currently have a good option for achieving these objectives.

The term “countertop” as used herein is not limited to a kitchenenvironment, but includes any conceivable workspace with a top surfaceneeding protection.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present invention, a device and method ofbuffering a surface while still maintaining the surface's visualappearance is disclosed. This invention relates to protecting a surfacefrom deformation from objects placed on the surface while at the sametime maintaining the surface's visual clarity and appearance. Thisinvention may include the use of a sheet of silicone, some of thedisclosed embodiments of which are uniquely configured with concavecavities and convex protrusions, and a wetting agent to achieve thestated buffering and visual appearance of the surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A better understanding of the embodiments of the device and method maybe had by reference to the drawing figures wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cabinet having a countertop utilizingthe present invention showing the unaltered beauty of the countertopwhile protecting the countertop's surface from an about to be placedutensil;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view showing the presence of a wetting agentat the interface of a silicone sheet of the present invention and thecountertop's surface;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the parameters of FIG. 1 applicableto both a countertop and a backsplash;

FIG. 4 is a first surface view of a silicone sheet of the presentinvention having substantially circular concave cavities andcorresponding convex protrusions facing upwards.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the silicone sheet shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the silicone sheet shown in FIG. 4orientated ninety degrees to that of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a first surface view of a silicone sheet of the presentinvention having substantially circular concave cavities andcorresponding convex protrusions with the cavities facing upward.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of the silicone sheet shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of the silicone sheet shown in FIG. 7orientated ninety degrees to that of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a first surface view of a silicone sheet of the presentinvention having substantially elliptical concave cavities andcorresponding convex protrusions with the cavities facing upward.

FIG. 11 is a second surface view of the silicone sheet shown in FIG. 10showing the convex protrusions facing upward.

FIG. 12 is a first surface view of a silicone sheet of the presentinvention having substantially elliptical concave cavities andcorresponding convex protrusions, different from those shown in FIG. 10,with the protrusions facing upward.

FIG. 13 is a first surface view of a protrusion of the present inventionwith a corresponding concave pocket having a shape different from thoseshown in FIGS. 4-11. The protrusion is shown facing upward.

FIG. 14 is a first surface view of a silicone sheet of the presentinvention having concave cavities and corresponding convex protrusionswith mixed shapes of different orientations with the protrusions facingupward.

FIG. 15 is a first surface view of a silicone sheet of the presentinvention having concave cavities with corresponding convex protrusionswith mixed shapes of different orientations with the cavities facingupward.

FIG. 16 is a first surface view of a silicone sheet of the presentinvention having both concave cavities with corresponding convexprotrusions and protrusions with corresponding cavities on both itsfirst and second sides.

FIG. 17 is an alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 18 is an alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 19 is an alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 20 is an alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 21 is an alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 22 is an alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 23 is an alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 24 is an alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 25 is an alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 26 is an alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 27 is an alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 28 is an alternative embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment—FIG. 1, FIG. 2and FIG. 3

Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, a first embodiment of thepresent invention is shown. The first embodiment relates to a method ofbuffering the surface 14 of a countertop on a cabinet 10 while at thesame time maintaining the surface's 14 visual appearance. The methodincludes wetting either (1) one surface of a substantially transparentsilicone sheet 12, which may have a thickness of 4 mm or less, with awetting agent 15 or (2) the countertop surface 14 with the wetting agent15, or (3) both the surface of the silicone sheet 12 and the countertopsurface 14 and then, placing the silicone sheet 12 adjacent to thecountertop surface 14 so that the wetting agent 15 is locatedthereinbetween the silicone sheet 12 surface and the countertop surface14 and finally, removing the resulting excess wetting agent and trappedair at the interface. Removal of the excess water and trapped air may beaccomplished by rolling, with a force directed toward the sheet 12, theunwetted nearside surface of the silicone sheet 12 with a cylindricallyshaped object such as a roller or a drinking glass; sliding an objectover the upper surface of sheet 12 (which in this case must also bewetted) with a force directed toward the sheet 12; repeatedly placing aflat surface of an object against the silicone sheet 12 with a forcedirected toward the sheet 12; etc.

After accomplishing the above described method, it should be noted thatthe visual appearance and beauty of the countertop surface 14 ispreserved as seen through the silicone sheet 12. The resulting uniformthin thickness of the wetting agent 15 and removal of air essentiallydoes not effectively obstruct the light passing through the appliedsilicone sheet 12, and therefore, the visual appearance of thecountertop surface 14 is maintained. Also, the interaction between theresulting uniform thin thickness of the wetting agent 15, the absence ofair, the lower surface of the silicone sheet 12 and the countertopsurface 14 helps to stabilize the silicone sheet 12 on the countertopsurface 14.

In addition, since silicone is a relatively soft material, the appliedsilicone sheet 12 will buffer and thus protect the countertop surface 14from deformation like scratches and scuffing from contact with a utensil16 and other relatively hard objects and will also aid in keeping itemsin place, so as not to inadvertently slide. Furthermore, since thesilicone surface 12 is relatively heat resistant, it will protect thecountertop surface 14 from contact with hot utensils, such as utensil 16and other objects without fear of the silicone melting or scorching whenit comes into contact with hot objects. Moreover, the application of thefirst embodiment will aid in protecting a user from physical shock asdescribed in the Background section.

Second Embodiment—FIGS. 4-6

Referring to FIGS. 4-6, a second embodiment of the present invention isshown. The second embodiment is a device for buffering the surface 14 ofa countertop on a cabinet 10 while at the same time maintaining thesurface's 14 visual appearance. The device includes a substantiallytransparent silicone sheet 26 having a plurality of spaced concavecavities 30 on its second side and corresponding convex protrusions 28on its first side. Either the first side, the second side or both sidesof sheet 26 can be specifically designed to be positioned on thecountertop surface 14.

In the same manner as in the first embodiment, a wetting agent 15 isapplied before placing the sheet 26 on the countertop surface 14 andthen the air and excess wetting agent 15 is removed as stated in thefirst embodiment. If sheet 26 is designed for placement of the secondside or concave cavities 30 next to the countertop surface 14, theconcave cavities 30 trap air and wetting agent 15, thereby helping tostabilize the silicone sheet 26 on the countertop surface 14 when theair and excess wetting agent 15 are forced out by pressing on thecorresponding convex protrusions 28. If sheet 26 is designed forplacement of the first side or the protrusions 28 next to the countertopsurface 14, the area between the protrusions 28 and the flat portion ofsheet 26 contact surface trap air and wetting agent 15, thereby helpingto stabilize the silicone sheet 26 on the countertop surface 14 when theair and excess wetting agent 15 are forced out by pressing on the pocket30 side of sheet 26.

As with the first embodiment, adding a wetting agent 15 such as water tothe interface between the countertop surface 14 and the sheet 26 furtherenhances both the visual preservation of the countertop surface 14 asseen through the sheet 26 and the stability of the sheet 26 on thecountertop surface 14.

The thickness 32 may be relatively uniform throughout the sheet 26 andas a result, the upper surface of sheet 26 is essentially flat andplanar when placed on a planar countertop surface 14 and the excess airand wetting agent 15 are removed. The thickness 32, can be uniform orvary throughout the sheet 26. The height 34 of the cavities 30 and thewidth and/or length 36 of the cavities 30 can be uniform or varythroughout the sheet 26. The thickness as measured between the cavities30 and the protrusions 28 can be different from that of the thickness ofthe sheet 26. The transition from the cavities 30 and the protrusions 28to the flat portion of sheet 26 can be gradual like a flattened orstraightened “S” and have relatively large fillet radii and alternately,this transition area can be of any configuration.

To reiterate, the design of the second embodiment can be such that onlythe cavities 30 side or only the protrusions 28 side is positioned onthe countertop surface 14 or the design can be such that either thepocket 30 side or the protrusions side 28 can be positioned on thecountertop surface 14.

Operation of the Second Embodiment

To operate or install the second embodiment on a countertop surface 14and in the same manner as in the first embodiment, a wetting agent 15 isapplied before placing the sheet 26 on the countertop surface 14. Theapplicable side of sheet 26 is then placed on the countertop surface 14.Excess air and wetting agent 15 are then removed usually by rolling acylindrical object over the unwetted nearside surface of the sheet 26with a force directed toward the countertop surface 14. After excess airand wetting agent 15 have been removed, the sheet will follow thecontour of the countertop surface 14 and the nearside surface of thesheet 26 will be essentially a uniform distance from the surface of thecountertop surface 14 as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

Third Embodiment—FIGS. 1-6

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, a third embodiment of the present invention isshown. The third embodiment relates to a method of buffering the surface14 of a countertop on a cabinet 10 while at the same time maintainingthe surface's 14 visual appearance. The third embodiment is the same asthe first embodiment with the exception that sheet 12 is replaced withsheet 26. Furthermore, similar to the second embodiment, either thecavities 30 side or the protrusions 28 side, as dependent on theapplicable design (reference the second embodiment), is positionedadjacent to the countertop surface 14.

Fourth Embodiment—FIGS. 7-9

Referring to FIGS. 7-9, a fourth embodiment of the present invention isshown. The fourth embodiment is a device for buffering the surface 14 ofa countertop on a cabinet 10 while at the same time maintaining thesurface's 14 visual appearance. The fourth embodiment is the same as thesecond embodiment with the exception that sheet 26 is replaced withsheet 27 where the protrusions 29 side is designed to be positionedadjacent to the countertop surface 14 and the cavities 31 side isdesigned to be facing away from the countertop surface 14.

Operation of the Fourth Embodiment

The operation of the fourth embodiment is the same as the secondembodiment with the exception that sheet 26 is replaced with sheet 27.

Fifth Embodiment—FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 7, FIG. 8 and FIG. 9

Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 7, FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, a fifthembodiment of the present invention is shown. The fifth embodimentrelates to a method of buffering the surface 14 of a countertop on acabinet 10 while at the same time maintaining the surface's 14 visualappearance. The fifth embodiment is the same as the first embodimentwith the exception that sheet 12 is replaced with sheet 27 and theprotrusions 29 side is positioned adjacent to the countertop surface 14with the cavities 31 side orientated away from the countertop surface14.

Sixth Embodiment—FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 8, FIG. 9, FIG. 10 and FIG. 11

Referring to FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 8, FIG. 9, FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, asixth embodiment of the present invention is shown. The sixth embodimentis a device for buffering the surface 14 of a countertop on a cabinet 10while at the same time maintaining the surface's 14 visual appearance.The sixth embodiment is the same as the second embodiment with theexception that sheet 26 is replaced with sheet 38. In the sixthembodiment, the sheet 38 can be designed such that the protrusions 41side is positioned adjacent to the countertop surface 14, as shown inFIG. 10 or the sheet 38 can be designed so that the cavities 40 side ispositioned adjacent to the countertop surface 14, as shown in FIG. 11.The cross sections of sheet 38 may be similar to those shown in FIG. 5,FIG. 6, FIG. 8, and FIG. 9.

Operation of the Sixth Embodiment

The operation of the sixth embodiment is the same as the secondembodiment with the exception that sheet 26 is replaced with sheet 38and the appropriate side of sheet 38 is positioned adjacent to thecountertop surface 14.

Seventh Embodiment—FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 10 and FIG. 11

Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, a seventhembodiment of the present invention is shown. The seventh embodimentrelates to a method of buffering the surface 14 of a countertop on acabinet 10 while at the same time maintaining the surface's 14 visualappearance. The seventh embodiment is the same as the first embodimentwith the exception that sheet 12 is replaced with sheet 38 and theappropriate side of sheet 38 (reference the sixth embodiment) ispositioned adjacent to the countertop surface 14.

Eighth Embodiment—FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 8, FIG. 9, and FIG. 12

Referring to FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 8, FIG. 9, and FIG. 12, an eighthembodiment of the present invention is shown. The eighth embodiment is adevice for buffering the surface 14 of a countertop on a cabinet 10while at the same time maintaining the surface's 14 visual appearance.The eighth embodiment is the same as the second embodiment with theexception that sheet 26 is replaced with sheet 42 and either theprotrusions 44 side or the corresponding cavities side, as dependent onthe applicable design (reference the second embodiment), is positionedadjacent to the countertop surface 14.

The cross sections of sheet 42 may be similar to those shown in FIG. 5,FIG. 6, FIG. 8 and FIG. 9.

Operation of the Eighth Embodiment

The operation of the eighth embodiment is the same as the secondembodiment with the exception that sheet 26 is replaced with sheet 42.

Ninth Embodiment—FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 12

Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 12, a ninth embodiment ofthe present invention is shown. The ninth embodiment relates to a methodof buffering the surface 14 of a countertop on a cabinet 10 while at thesame time maintaining the surface's 14 visual appearance. The ninthembodiment is the same as the first embodiment with the exception thatsheet 12 is replaced with sheet 42. Furthermore, similar to the secondembodiment, either the protrusions 44 side or the corresponding cavitiesside, as dependent on the applicable design (reference the secondembodiment), is positioned adjacent to the countertop surface 14.

Tenth Embodiment—FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 8, FIG. 9, and FIG. 13

Referring to FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 8, FIG. 9, and FIG. 13, a tenthembodiment of the present invention is shown. The tenth embodiment is adevice for buffering the surface 14 of a countertop on a cabinet 10while at the same time maintaining the surface's 14 visual appearance.The tenth embodiment is the same as the second embodiment with theexception that each protrusion 28 and its corresponding pocket 30 ofsheet 26 are replaced with the protrusion 46 and its correspondingpocket. The cross sections of sheet 26, as modified, may be somewhatsimilar to those shown in FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 with thereplaced pocket 46.

Operation of the Tenth Embodiment

The operation of the tenth embodiment is the same as the secondembodiment with the exception that sheet 26 is replaced with a modifiedsheet with cavity 46.

Eleventh Embodiment—FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 13

Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 13, an eleventh embodimentof the present invention is shown. The eleventh embodiment relates to amethod of buffering the surface 14 of a countertop on a cabinet 10 whileat the same time maintaining the surface's 14 visual appearance. Theeleventh embodiment is the same as the first embodiment with theexception that sheet 12 is replaced with the modified sheet as describedin the tenth embodiment. Also, as described in the second embodiment,either the protrusion 46 side or the corresponding cavity side, asdependent on the applicable design (reference the second embodiment), ispositioned adjacent to the countertop surface 14.

Twelfth Embodiment—FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 8, FIG. 9, and FIG. 14

Referring to FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 8, FIG. 9, and FIG. 14, a twelfthembodiment of the present invention is shown. The twelfth embodiment isa device for buffering the surface 14 of a countertop on a cabinet 10while at the same time maintaining the surface's 14 visual appearance.The twelfth embodiment is the same as the second embodiment with theexception that sheet 26 is replaced with sheet 48. The cross sections ofsheet 48 may be somewhat similar to those shown in FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG.8 and FIG. 9.

Operation of the Twelfth Embodiment

The operation of the twelfth embodiment is the same as the secondembodiment with the exception that sheet 26 is replaced with sheet 48.

Thirteenth Embodiment—FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 14

Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 14, a thirteenth embodimentof the present invention is shown. The thirteenth embodiment relates toa method of buffering the surface 14 of a countertop on a cabinet 10while at the same time maintaining the surface's 14 visual appearance.The thirteenth embodiment is the same as the first embodiment with theexception that sheet 12 is replaced with sheet 48. Furthermore, similarto the second embodiment, either the protrusions 50 and 52 side andtheir corresponding cavities side, as dependent on the applicable design(reference the second embodiment), is positioned adjacent to thecountertop surface 14.

Fourteenth Embodiment—FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 8, FIG. 9, and FIG. 15

Referring to FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 8, FIG. 9, and FIG. 15, a fourteenthembodiment of the present invention is shown. The fourteenth embodimentis a device for buffering the surface 14 of a countertop on a cabinet 10while at the same time maintaining the surface's 14 visual appearance.The fourteenth embodiment is the same as the second embodiment with theexception that sheet 26 is replaced with sheet 54. Note that the concavecavities 56 and 58 are facing upward in FIG. 15 and that the depth ofthe cavities 58 terminate at a ridge and not flat, therefore their endis shown as a straight line. The cross sections of sheet 54 may besomewhat similar to those shown in FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 8 and FIG. 9.

Operation of the Fourteenth Embodiment

The operation of the fourteenth embodiment is the same as the secondembodiment with the exception that sheet 26 is replaced with sheet 54.

Fifteenth Embodiment—FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 15

Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 15, a fifteenth embodimentof the present invention is shown. The fifteenth embodiment relates to amethod of buffering the surface 14 of a countertop on a cabinet 10 whileat the same time maintaining the surface's 14 visual appearance. Thefifteenth embodiment is the same as the first embodiment with theexception that sheet 12 is replaced with sheet 54. Furthermore, similarto the second embodiment, either the cavities 56 and 58 side or thecorresponding protrusions side, as dependent on the applicable design(reference the second embodiment), is positioned adjacent to thecountertop surface 14.

Sixteenth Embodiment—FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 8, FIG. 9, and FIG. 16

Referring to FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 8, FIG. 9, and FIG. 16, a sixteenthembodiment of the present invention is shown. The sixteenth embodimentis a device for buffering the surface 14 of a countertop on a cabinet 10while at the same time maintaining the surface's 14 visual appearance.The sixteenth embodiment is the same as the second embodiment with theexception that sheet 26 is replaced with sheet 60. Note that sheet 60has both concave cavities 64 with corresponding convex protrusions 62,and protrusions 62 with corresponding cavities 64 on both its first andsecond sides.

Operation of the Sixteenth Embodiment

The operation of the sixteenth embodiment is the same as the secondembodiment with the exception that sheet 26 is replaced with sheet 60.Note that the first side of sheet 60 can be specifically designed to bepositioned on the countertop surface 14 or the second side of sheet 60can be specifically designed to be positioned on the countertop surface14.

FIG. 17 is an upper surface view of a silicone sheet of the presentinvention having concave cavities facing up with corresponding convexprotrusions that form more than one channel.

FIG. 18 is an upper surface view of a silicone sheet of the presentinvention having a concave cavity facing up with a corresponding convexprotrusion that runs from one end of the silicone sheet to the other.

FIG. 19 is an upper surface view of a silicone sheet of the presentinvention having concave cavities facing up with corresponding convexprotrusions of a cavity within a section, with multiple sections.

FIG. 20 is an upper surface view of a silicone sheet of the presentinvention having concave cavities facing up with corresponding convexprotrusions that are angled.

FIG. 21 is an upper surface view of a silicone sheet of the presentinvention having concave cavities facing up with corresponding convexprotrusions.

FIG. 22 is an upper surface view of a silicone sheet of the presentinvention having concave cavities facing up with corresponding convexprotrusions that form an adapted chevron with cavities and protrusionsthat are open on one side.

FIG. 23 is an upper surface view of a silicone sheet of the presentinvention having concave cavities facing up with corresponding convexprotrusions that are random shapes.

FIG. 24 is an upper surface view of a silicone sheet of the presentinvention having concave cavities facing up with corresponding convexprotrusions that touch at the end.

FIG. 25 is an upper surface view of a silicone sheet of the presentinvention having concave cavities facing down with corresponding convexprotrusions.

FIG. 26 is an upper surface view of a silicone sheet of the presentinvention having a concave cavity facing up with a corresponding convexprotrusion in the shape of a wave.

FIG. 27 is an upper surface view of a silicone sheet of the presentinvention having concave cavities facing down with corresponding convexprotrusions.

FIG. 28 is an upper surface view of a silicone sheet of the presentinvention having concave cavities facing up with corresponding convexprotrusions of a random design, different from FIG. 23.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

Thus, a person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that theDevice and Method for Buffering a Surface While Maintaining theSurface's Visual Appearance is simple, user friendly, inexpensive, aswell as reliable and has many advantages, features, and benefits overthe prior art.

While the aforementioned descriptions of the embodiments contain manyspecifics, these specifics should not be construed as limitations on thescope of the disclosed invention, but rather as an exemplification ofseveral preferred embodiments thereof.

Many other ramifications, variations, alterations, substitutions,modifications, and the like are readily possible. For example, sizes,shapes, procedures, design, etc. of all components can be readilymodified or changed.

For example, (1) the countertop surface 14 can be any type of genericsurface used to place items on; (2) one or both surfaces of the siliconesheets 12, 26, 27, 38, 42, 48, 54, and modified sheet 26 shown in allembodiments can have a plurality of small texture configurations, linesor any shapes some of which may have the texture of sandpaper, toprevent or reduce slippage or sticking of utensils placed thereupon; (3)the thickness of the sheets 12, 26, 27, 38, 42, 48, 54, 60, and modifiedsheet 26 as generically represented between the peak of protrusions 28and peak of cavities 30 can be different from the genericallyrepresented thickness 32 as well as with all protrusions and theirrespective cavities, herein; (4) the thickness, as genericallyrepresented by thickness 32, can vary within their respective sheets andcan vary with the thickness as stated in (3) above; (5) the peaks of theprotrusions 28, 40, 44, 46, 50, 52, and 62 as well as all protrusions,herein, do not have to be flat, as generally shown in FIGS. 4-14 and 16but can be domed or spherical shaped; (6) the protrusions 28 and theircorresponding cavities 30 as well as all protrusions, herein, includingprotrusions 40, 44, 46, 50, 52, and 62 and their corresponding cavitiescan have any shape or configuration different from those shown in theirrespective embodiments; (7) the sheets 26, 27, 38 42, 48, 54, and 60,and modified sheet 26 can have both protrusions and cavities of anyconfiguration on the same side of the sheet; (8) the sheets 26, 27, 38,42, 48, 54, 60, and modified sheet 26 can have protrusions withcorresponding cavities of any shape, width/length, and height and can beintermixed with protrusions and cavities having different shapes,widths/lengths and heights; (9) excess wetting agent 15 and air can beremoved by moving any flat and/or curved object on the silicone sheets12, 26, 27, 38, 42, 48, 54, 60, and modified sheet 26 with a sufficientforce directed toward the sheets 12, 26, 27, 38, 42, 48, 54, 60, andmodified sheet 26; (10) the silicone used in sheets 12, 26, 27, 38, 42,48, 54, 60, and modified sheet 26 can have anti-bacterial and/oranti-microbial constituents and additionally, can be of any softness,resiliency and/or tensile strength and (11) the silicone used in sheets12, 26, 27, 38, 42, 48, 54, 60, and modified sheet 26 can have athickness of 4 mm or less.

With respect to the present invention, silicone is further defined asany material that is resiliently deformable, heat resistant andsubstantially transparent in a similar measure to these qualities ofsilicone.

While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussedabove, those skilled in the art will recognize certain modifications,permutations, additions and sub-combinations thereof. It is thereforeintended that the following to appended claims are interpreted toinclude all such modifications, permutations, additions andsub-combinations as are within their true spirit and scope.

Accordingly, the scope and meaning should be determined not only by theembodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legalequivalents.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A device comprising: a sheet having a firstsurface and a second surface such that said first surface and saidsecond surface are substantially opposite each other, said first surfacehaving a first plurality of concave cavities and said second surfacehaving a first plurality of convex protrusions corresponding to saidfirst plurality of concave cavities, wherein a height of said concavecavities corresponds to a height of said convex protrusions throughoutsaid sheet, wherein a width of said concave cavities corresponds to awidth of said convex protrusions throughout said sheet, wherein saidconcave cavities and said convex protrusions throughout said sheet areconfigured to be flattened to cause said sheet to stabilize in place ona generic surface by removing at least one of excess air or wettingagent disposed between the second surface of said sheet and the genericsurface, and wherein the second surface is facing the generic surface.2. The device as defined in claim 1 wherein said sheet has a thicknessof 4 mm or less.
 3. The device as defined in claim 1 wherein one or bothof said first surface and said second surface has texture.
 4. The deviceas defined in claim 1 wherein said sheet has a second plurality ofconvex protrusions on said first surface, and a second plurality ofconcave cavities on said second surface, said second plurality ofconcave cavities corresponding to said second plurality of convexprotrusions.
 5. The device as defined in claim 1 wherein said sheet hasa substantially flat portion adjacent to said first plurality of concavecavities and corresponding said first plurality of convex protrusions,and wherein the thickness of said substantially flat portion is greaterthan the thickness between each concave cavity of said first pluralityof concave cavities and each corresponding convex protrusion of saidfirst plurality of convex protrusions.
 6. The device as defined in claim1 wherein said sheet contains at least one of an anti-bacterial andanti-microbial constituent.
 7. A device comprising: a sheet having afirst surface and a second surface opposite said first surface; aplurality of concave cavities formed on said first surface; and aplurality of convex protrusions formed on said second surface, whereineach concave cavity is formed within a corresponding convex protrusion,wherein said sheet has substantially flat portions adjacent to saidconcave cavities and convex protrusions, wherein said sheet has at leasttwo discrete portions, a first of said discrete portions comprising afirst corresponding concave cavity and convex protrusion, and a secondof said discrete portions comprising a second corresponding concavecavity and convex protrusion, said discrete portions being separatedfrom each other by said substantially flat portions, wherein a thicknessof said substantially flat portions is different than a thicknessbetween said concave cavities and convex protrusions throughout saidsheet, wherein a transition from said concave cavities and convexprotrusions to said substantially flat portions forms a flattened “S”shape, and wherein said concave cavities and convex protrusions areconfigured to be flattened to make said sheet adhere to a genericsurface by removing at least one of excess air or wetting agent disposedbetween said sheet and the generic surface.
 8. The device as defined inclaim 7 wherein at least one of said concave cavities and at least oneof said convex protrusions have at least one of a different shape,width, and height.
 9. The device as defined in claim 7 wherein thegeneric surface is a household surface.
 10. A device comprising: a sheethaving a first surface and a second surface such that said first surfaceand said second surface are substantially opposite each other, saidfirst surface having at least one concave cavity and said second surfacehaving at least one convex protrusion corresponding to said at least oneconcave cavity, said at least one concave cavity formed within said atleast one convex protrusion, wherein a height of said at least oneconcave cavity corresponds to a height of said at least one convexprotrusion, wherein a width of said at least one concave cavitycorresponds to a width of said at least one convex protrusion, whereinsaid sheet has a substantially flat portion adjacent to said at leastone concave cavity and said at least one convex protrusion, and whereinsaid at least one concave cavity and said at least one convex protrusionare configured to be flattened to cause said sheet to stabilize in placeon a generic surface by removing at least one of excess air or wettingagent disposed between said sheet and the generic surface.
 11. Thedevice as defined in claim 1 wherein said sheet is tinted.
 12. Thedevice as defined in claim 7 wherein said sheet has a second pluralityof convex protrusions on said first surface, and a second plurality ofconcave cavities on said second surface, said second plurality ofconcave cavities corresponding to said second plurality of convexprotrusions.
 13. The device as defined in claim 1 wherein said concavecavities and convex protrusions are configured to be flattened to causesaid sheet to stabilize in place on the generic surface by removing theexcess air between said sheet and the generic surface.
 14. The device asdefined in claim 1 wherein said concave cavities and convex protrusionsare configured to be flattened to cause said sheet to stabilize in placeon the generic surface by removing the excess wetting agent disposedbetween said sheet and the generic surface.
 15. The device as defined inclaim 5, wherein said sheet is configured to have a substantiallyuniform distance throughout said sheet between the first surface of saidsheet and the generic surface after said sheet is stabilized in place byflattening said concave cavities and said convex protrusions.
 16. Thedevice as defined in claim 7, wherein the thickness of saidsubstantially flat portions is greater than the thickness between saidconcave cavities and said convex protrusions throughout said sheet. 17.The device as defined in claim 7 wherein said substantially flatportions and said adjacent concave cavities and convex protrusions areconfigured to be flattened to make said sheet adhere to the genericsurface by removing the excess wetting agent disposed between said sheetand the generic surface.
 18. The device as defined in claim 10 whereinsaid at least one cavity and said at least one protrusion are configuredto be flattened to cause said sheet to stabilize in place on the genericsurface by removing the excess wetting agent disposed between said sheetand the generic surface.
 19. The device as defined in claim 10 whereinsaid first surface is configured to be positioned adjacent to thegeneric surface and said second surface is designed to be positionedaway from the generic surface.
 20. The device as defined in claim 10wherein said second surface is configured to be positioned adjacent tothe generic surface and said first surface is designed to be positionedaway from the generic surface.
 21. The device as defined in claim 7wherein said substantially flat portions and said adjacent concavecavities and convex protrusions are configured to be flattened to makesaid sheet adhere to the generic surface by removing the excess airdisposed between said sheet and the generic surface.
 22. The device asdefined in claim 10 wherein said at least one cavity and said at leastone protrusion are configured to be flattened to cause said sheet tostabilize in place on the generic surface by removing the excess airdisposed between said sheet and the generic surface.